The junior actors of Midland Community Theatre will present the staged version of the infamous radio play “War of the Worlds” for one weekend only.

The original airing caused a panic among listeners who didn’t realize the story about an alien invasion was a drama.

Before the show opens Friday, cast members and director Bill Williams shared their thoughts on the effect of the show and how they will recreate a radio play for the stage.

But first, the question had to be asked.

Which is scarier: Aliens or people?

“I believe they are equally as scary. Aliens are frightening because so much about them is unknown and we’re unsure all they could be capable of,” said Shelby Collins, a Midland Classical Academy senior who plays Cynthia. “However, we have seen all the horrifying things that human beings are capable of doing, making them just as scary. The reality of both of these can be seen throughout the show.”

Dylan Watson, a home-schooled junior, plays Father and Montgomery, explained how the Pickwicks will bring the show to life.

“Taking on an intense show like this is a challenge for everyone involved. It requires you to completely transform into your character, which really helps present the show in a very honest and realistic style,” he said. “It’s one of the most challenging and emotional plays I have ever been a part of.”

In relating to her character Pam, Trinity School junior Morgan Kuehler added that even though it was such a different time, humanity is still the same.

“For my character, the idea that she might lose her closest loved one and lose the life she’s known is too much for her to bear. That’s a very human thing that hasn’t changed with time.”

For the young cast, their lives have likely always consisted of social media as well as around-the-clock news. That a radio show could cause a panic was a surprise for Jack Smith. The Midland High junior who plays John talked about his reaction upon hearing about the original show’s impact on its listeners.

“My original thoughts were honest surprise,” he said. “For a radio show to cause widespread panic like it did back then just means it must have been voiced in such a realistic and impressive way that a Martian invasion was even a possibility. I mean I can imagine kids spreading rumors in school about the ‘news report’ the way my friends and I talk about Ebola.”

Pickwick Players director Bill Williams has always considered the broadcast an inspirational piece of theater. In developing this production, he blurs the line between the actual radio play and their production.

“I used some of the music and announcements from the original broadcast to push the story along and to give the feel of the time period. We try to include the ‘theater of the mind’ aspect by using sound effects to represent everything from alien tripods to battles,” he said via email. “But I would say this adaptation is inspired by the radio play more than based on it. Much in the play is influenced more by the H.G. Wells book.”

For Williams, the show had a bigger message that still resonates today. In this weekend’s show, despite the overall air of Halloween, Williams said the story also takes on new meaning.

“The different things people turn to during times of trouble and stress are demonstrated during the course of the play, whether that be science, religion or love,” he said. “We may not have aliens attacking us but we are always on alert due to the circumstances we currently find the world in. I think ‘War of the Worlds’ is more about humanity, both the good and the bad, than it is about the aliens.”